UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced plans to reduce the annual number of work and family visas. This proposal, if implemented, would allow MPs to vote on yearly government proposals aimed at decreasing migration figures.
Sunak's proposal involves reducing the number of visas allocated each year, with a particular focus on work and family visas. However, temporary pathways like those for seasonal workers and international students will remain exempt. This move is designed to address public concerns over high migration levels.
Under the new plan, MPs will have the opportunity to vote on annual government proposals to decrease migration numbers regularly. These proposals will be guided by recommendations from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). Sunak believes this approach will ensure that voters feel their opinions are represented and respected.
The UK experienced a 25% drop in overall visa applications in the first quarter of 2024. This significant decrease is attributed to stricter rules introduced by the government earlier in the year. Despite this reduction, the government remains committed to further decreasing migration levels to achieve sustainable numbers.
Sunak emphasized that the new plan is working, but more measures are needed to address high migration levels. He stated, "The plan is working, but migration levels are still too high, so we are going further."
In the upcoming June 4 elections, Sunak’s Conservative Party will face the Labour Party led by Keir Starmer. Sunak criticized the Labour Party, claiming they would "make the UK a global magnet for illegal immigrants" and had no plan to reduce overall migration. He positioned his party as the only one willing to take bold action to cut immigration figures.
Recent statistics from the Home Office reveal a 25% decrease in visa applications during the first four months of 2024. This drop is attributed to the tougher rules introduced by the government to curb unsustainable migration. In particular, the number of student applications decreased by 30,000 compared to the same period in 2023, and student-dependent applications dropped by 79%.
In April 2024, the UK implemented new visa rules for foreign care workers, preventing them from bringing their families to the country. As a result, Health and Care dependent applications in April 2024 decreased by 58% compared to the same month in 2023.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's proposal to introduce more caps on work and family visas aims to address high migration levels and ensure that public concerns are addressed. With the upcoming elections, the debate over immigration policies will be a key issue, highlighting the contrasting approaches of the Conservative and Labour parties.
The main objective is to reduce the annual number of work and family visas issued, aiming to lower overall migration figures and address public concerns about high migration levels.
Members of Parliament (MPs) will have the authority to vote on yearly government proposals to decrease migration numbers.
Temporary visa pathways, such as those for seasonal workers and international students, will be exempt from the new caps on work and family visas.
In April 2024, the UK implemented new visa rules preventing foreign care workers from bringing their families to the country. As a result, Health and Care dependent applications in April 2024 decreased by 58% compared to the same month in 2023.
In the upcoming June 4 elections, Sunak’s Conservative Party will face the Labour Party. Sunak has highlighted immigration control as a key issue, contrasting his party's stance with that of the Labour Party.
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) will provide recommendations to guide the annual government proposals on migration caps, which MPs will then vote on.
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